The authorities of the Belgorod region have decided to evacuate about 9,000 children to other regions of Russia because of the shelling. This statement was made by the governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, Russian media reports.

"We are evacuating a large number of villages today. We are currently planning to move about 9,000 children from Belgorod, Belgorod district, Shebekinsky district, and Graivoronsky district. On March 22, 1.2 thousand children are going to Penza, Tambov and Kaluga. Next is the Stavropol Territory. The system has been built," he said.

The governor added that in Belgorod region, 16 people were killed in shelling over the past week, and 98 others were injured. 

In addition, he said that the Graivoronsky district of Belgorod region was completely cut off due to the shelling.